Chapter 29: Let Him Sleep With Me

When did that lazy woman of the Fang family start cooking?

Si Yuheng tapped his fingers against the tabletop. The others snapped out of their stupor, shaking off their strange questions. Whatever the Fang family’s eldest branch was up to, making money came first.

By the time Si Yuheng finished weighing the bayberries, Liang Anrong had finished preparing the meal. It wasn't just the villagers who found the scent mouth-watering; even the perpetually picky Si Yuheng felt that the aroma wafting from the kitchen was more appetizing than anything served at his own Quanwei Restaurant.

"Dinner is ready," Liang Anrong called out. "Ningning, come over and help Mother bring out the dishes."

"Coming!" Fang Ning trotted over on her short legs. "Let me see if there's anything I like."

"As if there would ever be a meal without your favorites?" Liang Anrong chuckled and pinched her daughter’s round little nose, thinking that having a younger daughter wasn't such a bad thing after all.

Mrs. Zhao remarked from the side, "Sister-in-law, I never realized you were such a good cook!"

"I was just lazy before and didn't want to exert myself. If you want to learn, I can teach you," Liang Anrong said generously.

"Really? Sister-in-law, you aren't just teasing me?"

"We are all family, so let's speak plainly. If you want to learn, I will teach you."

"Hahaha, then thank you, sister-in-law!" Mrs. Zhao laughed heartily.

"Don't mention it. Husband... Master of the house, go call the second and third brothers to come back for dinner," Liang Anrong shouted at the top of her lungs.

Si Yuheng, standing in the courtyard, felt a strange sensation, as if he were watching an surreal stage play.

"Young Master, what are you thinking about? Come eat," Fang Ning suddenly jumped in front of him, pulling him out of his thoughts.

Looking at Fang Ning’s delicate and charming face, Si Yuheng felt for a fleeting moment as if he were looking at a little girl. He was startled by his own thought! His engagement to Fang Ning was merely a ruse to hide his identity; he had no interest in men. It must be Fang Ning’s peculiar background that was giving rise to such ridiculous notions.

"Young Master?" Seeing Si Yuheng’s expression shift repeatedly, Fang Ning waved a hand in front of him.

"I heard you," Si Yuheng said calmly. "Let's eat."

"Mm." He stepped past her and headed inside.

Fang Ning thought he was strange, but since she felt no murderous intent, she didn't take it to heart.

"Has Father’s fish head been stewed?" Fang Cinian asked as he entered.

"It’s ready. Mother is feeding Father now," Liang Anrong replied.

Inside the room, Old Man Fang was pinching his nose as he ate. "Eldest, what did you put in this? Why does it smell so bad?"

"Gastrodia and Ligusticum. Eldest said this is a rare treasure, more expensive than mountain ginseng!"

Old Man Fang, who had initially refused to eat, grabbed the bowl upon hearing his wife’s words and gulped it down while stifling his nausea. "Can't let it go to waste."

"Why are you drinking so fast? No one is going to snatch it from you. Do you want some rice?"

"No, I can't eat anymore, I feel awful." Old Man Fang whimpered, acting spoiled toward his wife.

Old Lady Fang rubbed his stomach. "There, there. You lie down for a while; I’m going to eat."

"Come back quickly, then."

"Aren't you ashamed of yourself in front of the younger ones!"

Only then did Old Man Fang fall silent.

Old Lady Fang went out to take her seat, and everyone picked up their chopsticks. As a high-level chef, Liang Anrong’s culinary skills were beyond reproach, and the Fang family members ate without even lifting their heads. Even Si Yuheng couldn't help but finish half an extra bowl of rice.

"The food Aunt makes is so delicious," Fang Hong said with his mouth full. "Aunt, why didn't you cook before?"

"Eat your food! All these good dishes and they still can't shut your mouth!" Mrs. Zhao scolded softly.

Liang Anrong just smiled, offering no explanation. The meal was harmonious, with an atmosphere better than ever before. After the meal, Mrs. Chen quietly went to wash the dishes. Liang Anrong didn't fight her for the task. She said to Si Yuheng, "The house over there is too chaotic, so we’ve arranged for you to stay at the old ancestral home. What does the Young Master think?"

"No need. It’s fine if I share a room with Ningning," Si Yuheng refused.

Fang Ning: "..." *Trying to take advantage of me, you brat!*

"Fang Ning has a restless sleeping habit; I’m afraid she’ll kick you off the bed in the middle of the night. The old house is already tidied up, so you should just stay there," Liang Anrong said, firmly disagreeing with him sharing a room with her daughter. If her daughter ever wanted to marry in the future and word got out that she had slept in the same room as the young master of the Quanwei Restaurant, what would happen to her reputation? This wasn't the modern world!

"It is fine. I wake easily at night anyway."

"Young Master, why are you so insistent on sleeping with me? Are you up to no good?" Fang Ning covered her chest with both hands, her words shocking.

Si Yuheng was almost too angry to speak.

"You’re overthinking it. Since you’re unwilling, I shall stay at the old house. However, Dr. Fang, you must guarantee my life during this treatment and ensure I am informed immediately if there is any emergency. When my illness flares up, I lose all consciousness," Si Yuheng said coldly.

*Lose all consciousness? Is the pain that severe?*

"Whenever I have an episode, Manager Lin usually sends me to the villa and makes everyone else leave."

"Forget it, Father. Let him stay with me. It’s fine."

Fang Ning didn't know what kind of poison Si Yuheng had been afflicted with, but he didn't seem to be lying. For safety’s sake, it was better for her to keep an eye on him. If she couldn't restrain him, she could at least run.

"How can that be?" Liang Anrong refused to agree no matter what. She blinked hard, trying to make Fang Ning understand her current situation and status.

Fang Ning didn't care about such nonsense as reputation. She was only ten years old, and besides, she didn't necessarily have to get married.

"It’s okay, Mother," Fang Ning reassured her.

Since she had said as much, what else could Liang Anrong do? She glared fiercely at Fang Cinian once more. *Useless!* Fang Cinian rubbed his nose, not daring to retort.

In the end, Fang Ning didn't return to the other house, and neither did the Cinians. The old home had exactly two rooms, perfect for two people each.

After Fang Ning finished bathing and got into bed, Si Yuheng was already sitting on the edge. For some reason, Fang Ning suddenly had a bizarre vision of a husband waiting for his wife! *Pah, pah, pah! I’m only ten, what am I thinking?*

"Young Master, you sleep on the inside."

"I only sleep on the outside. You are young, you go inside."

"No way. If I’m on the inside and you have an episode, I won't even have a chance to escape."

"If I have an episode, the result would be the same even if you were on the outside. It makes no difference. Get in."

Si Yuheng, too lazy to argue with Fang Ning, grabbed her by the back of her collar and hoisted her to the inside of the bed.

Fang Ning: "..." *This is truly a novel experience!* She opened her eyes wide and glared at Si Yuheng in protest.

"Sleep." Si Yuheng lay down directly.

"Can you even sleep? Bullying a child, doesn't your conscience hurt?" Fang Ning muttered gloomily.

Si Yuheng opened his eyes and stared at her. "If you don't go to sleep now, I promise your conscience will hurt."

Fang Ning slid down into bed in a single, fluid motion, quick and decisive. She slept with her back to Si Yuheng. After lying there for a while, her curiosity got the better of her, and she wanted to probe him for information.